As with most media, we here at Football Insiders are crazy about draft speculation. There have been a lot of trades indicating preferences, and therefore, here is our FI Way Too Early Mock Draft of the first round.
Note that the expansion draft has not taken place, and that will heavily influence what takes place. The below is based on every team’s CURRENT rosters.
R1, P1 – Yellowknife Wraiths select: Dermot Lavelle, CB. Analysis: This isn’t a very surprising pick, as Lavelle is clearly the consensus number one pick. Add in the struggles that the Wraiths had at secondary, and this pick is a no-brainer. Lavelle is a man to man specialist who can keep up with the fastest in the league, and has hands like a receiver along with good field awareness. This is definitely the kind of player to help turn around a suffering defense.
R1, P2 – Philadelphia Liberty select: Greg Clegane, OG. Analysis: As an expansion team that hasn’t traded all their draft picks away, best player available is likely the best strategy, as almost every position is a need. Clegane is an absolute powerhouse who will open lanes for a runner and who can protect his QB from inside threats, though he is very vulnerable to outside threats. We expect he’ll be used at LG, allowing the Liberty to place a weaker player at LT without regretting it.
R1, P3 – Arizona Outlaws select: TRADE with Orange County for R1, P6 and R2, P12: Analysis: Orange County doesn’t have a lot of needs going into this draft, but O line is far and away the biggest one, and Sharpei (or Pest) is good value at this pick. Meanwhile, the Outlaws need a new wide receiver, which can be had for a lower price, and will also be looking for some depth on their very talented team.
R1, P3 – Orange County Otters select: Vincent Sharpei, OT: Analysis: Orange County doesn’t have a lot of needs going into this draft, but O line is one of them, and Sharpei (or Pest) is good value at this pick. Sharpei looks like he’d be a good fit at RT, being a bit faster on his feet than the two guards also mocked to go in the first, but it’s his awareness that he’ll be relying on to keep his QB upright. In the end, this pick really comes down to Jiggly’s preferences for the offense, as both Pest and Sharpei are solid picks.
R1, P4 – Baltimore Hawks select: Tim Pest, OG. Analysis: This was a difficult call, as Vincent Sharpei might still be available. The Hawks, however, were last in the league in Season One on yards per carry, as opposed to second-worst in passing, so Pest would be the ideal pick here.
R1, P5 – Yellowknife Wraiths select: Blaster Blade, DE. Analysis: The Wraiths have a huge problem on their defensive line, and this draft has a lot more talent on offense than on defense, making the very minor reach Yellowknife’s best bet for success. Besides, even with poor O-line play, the Wraiths did have a very capable offense last year.
R1, P6 – Arizona Outlaws select: Darnell Turner, CB . Analysis: Jason Williams is an acceptable corner, but he can not be trusted against premier wide receivers. Turner gives San Jose the ability to move safety Ryan Flock around and disguise looks, and Turner is also just the best player available at this point.
R1, P7 – Colorado Yetis select: Rich Gucci, TE. Analysis. The Yetis run a very conservative offense, and having a TE as a safety blanket that can leg out a few extra yards is exactly what they need to keep it moving. Gucci is faster than a lot of the LBs declaring this year, and boasts amazingly dependable hands, making him a perfect fit.
R1, P8 – San Jose Saber Cats select: Ardie Savea, RB. Analysis: Despite not being a need, Savea is simply the best player available, and as there just won't be anyone to trade with, they will likely be stuck going with that.
There you have it. Round Two has a lot of question marks, mainly “who will draft Paul DiMirio?” The tight end is very talented, but TE just isn't a need for many teams around the league, though he has a great shot at landing with the Baltimore Hawks, who could use him if he is willing to work on his blocking more. That leaves either Baltimore or San Jose to land linebacker Kevin Cushing, who has come out of nowhere to become a high prospect. Dustin Evans, Jordan Yates, Scott Timlin, and Bork Bjornsson will almost undoubtedly be picked in the second as well, with Noah Parker and a wild card pick the best bets to close out the round.
((797 words, ready to be graded))
Note that the expansion draft has not taken place, and that will heavily influence what takes place. The below is based on every team’s CURRENT rosters.
R1, P1 – Yellowknife Wraiths select: Dermot Lavelle, CB. Analysis: This isn’t a very surprising pick, as Lavelle is clearly the consensus number one pick. Add in the struggles that the Wraiths had at secondary, and this pick is a no-brainer. Lavelle is a man to man specialist who can keep up with the fastest in the league, and has hands like a receiver along with good field awareness. This is definitely the kind of player to help turn around a suffering defense.
R1, P2 – Philadelphia Liberty select: Greg Clegane, OG. Analysis: As an expansion team that hasn’t traded all their draft picks away, best player available is likely the best strategy, as almost every position is a need. Clegane is an absolute powerhouse who will open lanes for a runner and who can protect his QB from inside threats, though he is very vulnerable to outside threats. We expect he’ll be used at LG, allowing the Liberty to place a weaker player at LT without regretting it.
R1, P3 – Arizona Outlaws select: TRADE with Orange County for R1, P6 and R2, P12: Analysis: Orange County doesn’t have a lot of needs going into this draft, but O line is far and away the biggest one, and Sharpei (or Pest) is good value at this pick. Meanwhile, the Outlaws need a new wide receiver, which can be had for a lower price, and will also be looking for some depth on their very talented team.
R1, P3 – Orange County Otters select: Vincent Sharpei, OT: Analysis: Orange County doesn’t have a lot of needs going into this draft, but O line is one of them, and Sharpei (or Pest) is good value at this pick. Sharpei looks like he’d be a good fit at RT, being a bit faster on his feet than the two guards also mocked to go in the first, but it’s his awareness that he’ll be relying on to keep his QB upright. In the end, this pick really comes down to Jiggly’s preferences for the offense, as both Pest and Sharpei are solid picks.
R1, P4 – Baltimore Hawks select: Tim Pest, OG. Analysis: This was a difficult call, as Vincent Sharpei might still be available. The Hawks, however, were last in the league in Season One on yards per carry, as opposed to second-worst in passing, so Pest would be the ideal pick here.
R1, P5 – Yellowknife Wraiths select: Blaster Blade, DE. Analysis: The Wraiths have a huge problem on their defensive line, and this draft has a lot more talent on offense than on defense, making the very minor reach Yellowknife’s best bet for success. Besides, even with poor O-line play, the Wraiths did have a very capable offense last year.
R1, P6 – Arizona Outlaws select: Darnell Turner, CB . Analysis: Jason Williams is an acceptable corner, but he can not be trusted against premier wide receivers. Turner gives San Jose the ability to move safety Ryan Flock around and disguise looks, and Turner is also just the best player available at this point.
R1, P7 – Colorado Yetis select: Rich Gucci, TE. Analysis. The Yetis run a very conservative offense, and having a TE as a safety blanket that can leg out a few extra yards is exactly what they need to keep it moving. Gucci is faster than a lot of the LBs declaring this year, and boasts amazingly dependable hands, making him a perfect fit.
R1, P8 – San Jose Saber Cats select: Ardie Savea, RB. Analysis: Despite not being a need, Savea is simply the best player available, and as there just won't be anyone to trade with, they will likely be stuck going with that.
There you have it. Round Two has a lot of question marks, mainly “who will draft Paul DiMirio?” The tight end is very talented, but TE just isn't a need for many teams around the league, though he has a great shot at landing with the Baltimore Hawks, who could use him if he is willing to work on his blocking more. That leaves either Baltimore or San Jose to land linebacker Kevin Cushing, who has come out of nowhere to become a high prospect. Dustin Evans, Jordan Yates, Scott Timlin, and Bork Bjornsson will almost undoubtedly be picked in the second as well, with Noah Parker and a wild card pick the best bets to close out the round.
((797 words, ready to be graded))